Nintendo held its second Nintendo Direct of the year on September 13th, 2022. While many of the games promise to be upcoming favorites or reboots of old classics, here are five favorites from an indie game enthusiast. 

Oddballers

Oddballers brings a fresh take on dodgeball with this local or online multiplayer party game. Unlike traditional dodgeball, each round introduces something new to the changing list of arenas. Use fuel tanks, electric fences, or tennis ball launchers to tag out your opponents and launch yourself closer to victory. 

From the few gameplay clips shown at the Direct, the game has a similar feeling to Gang Beasts.  It features a rotating array of arenas and different items to interact with depending on the level. 

Along with the ever-changing items and locations, character customization allows players to switch up their looks. Thankfully, you can easily differentiate yourself from other players. There are options from head to toe, as well as the ability to choose a personal dance to taunt frenemies or celebrate a victory. Oddballers is set to release in early 2023 on Switch, PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

Fae Farm

This multiplayer farming simulator transports players to their very own fairytale island of Azoria. Players can grow their homestead by using magic and spells to explore the rest of the enchanted island. You’ll also forge bonds with other residents and discover fae magic across the land.

Battling enemies in dungeons and ruins helps uncover hidden secrets from Azoria’s past. This aspect of the game adds to the enchanting storyline wrapped up in this farming simulator. Fae Farm encourages the player to infuse magic into every choice they make and action they perform which makes farming, battling, and exploring unique experiences. 

On top of the magical experiences within the game, rewards are given out as the player makes their farm and house cozier with customizable decorations. This four-player farming sim promises to have a little something for every type of game enthusiast.

Fae Farm is scheduled to release in the Spring of 2023.

Master Detective Archives: Rain Code

Master Detective Archives: Rain Code is a new dark detective adventure game. It centers around mysteries in a city where the rain never stops. This title is being brought to us by the creators behind Danganronpa. Rain Code follows Yuma, an amateur detective in training who is haunted by Shinigami, a spirit who helps him with his cases.

With unsolved crimes running rampant through the city of rain, detectives from around the world who hold special gifts must work together to solve them. As the game progresses, the mystery labyrinth opens. You reveal a constantly changing maze to the truth that is riddled with deception and gimmicks. 

Master Detective Archives: Rain Code allows free travel through the game as the player gathers evidence and testimonials from the inhabitants of the city. Dodging deceitful phantoms and lying ghouls will slow down the hunt for the truth and derail the investigation. The player must decide what is fact and what is fiction.

Master Detective Archives: Rain Code releases in 2023.

Tunic

Tunic is an isometric adventure game about a small fox stranded in a ruined land. Armed with curiosity, players fight beasts, collect items, and discover ancient secrets.

Fight dozens of monsters and explore high mountains, deep caves, and mysterious regions on the hunt for the game’s instruction manual. The instruction manual will reveal tips, tricks, and maps to further the journey through various parts of the world. 

Tunic is currently available now on PC, and XBOX. It will release on September 27th, 2022, on Switch, PS4, and PS5. You can preorder now on those consoles.

SpongeBob The Cosmic Shake 

The SpongeBob franchise continues to grow with its new game, SpongeBob The Cosmic Shake. While little has been said about the upcoming release, the game’s official website lists a few key features of the game. Players will utilize platforming skills, experience 7 worlds to adventure through, equip 30 different character costumes, and listen to a soundtrack filled with original songs from the SpongeBob television show. Additionally, the game promises to bring back some old favorites from the franchise while adding a few new things into the mix.

SpongeBob The Cosmic Shake releases in 2023 on Switch, PC, PS4, and Xbox One.

As expected, the second Nintendo Direct of the year highlighted a variety of genres. From a magical farming simulator to a grungy detective adventure game, there are Nintendo releases for every type of gamer as 2022 closes out and 2023 begins.

What games are you most excited about from this Nintendo Direct? Join the conversation in the comments section!

By Katelyn

After growing up watching people play indie titles on YouTube, it’s become the majority of what I play myself. From story-based games to puzzle games, anything made by a small development team is right up my alley.